Fiona E. Walsh

Director

Fiona supports BCCC because she believes that the best changes for cyclists will happen at the provincial level. As she puts it, cycling is her life and promotes a long and healthy life. Fiona joined HUB in 2010 and is on the HUB - North Shore Committee. In 2012, she joined the boards of HUB and BCCC and, in 2013, she joined the board of Vélo Canada Bikes.

Fiona bought an electric-assist bike in 2009 after 40 years of only driving a car for transportation. She was a teacher in Burnaby, at the time, and biked to work across the Iron Workers’ Memorial Bridge from North Vancouver. Over her teaching career, she has taught students, from 5 to 75 years old, in English and French, volunteering in Uganda, Ghana, China and Peru in the summertime. In 2013, when she retired, she transitioned to a 'regular bike'. She chairs her neighbourhood residents' association and volunteers at North Shore Emergency Management, the West End Coal Harbour Community Policing Centre and Vancouver Coastal Health.

It’s a crime that ATVs and 4×4s are allowed on natural or gravel paths at any time, not to mention that it’s an insult to athletes of any kind or regular folk, enjoying a hike or a bike ride, to call the use of ATVs and 4×4s an “outdoor sport”. I equate it with hunting — using a high-powered, high-end rifle — which has also been called a “sport”.

We need to get smarter about keeping outdoor paths for people using non-motorized equipment, particularly in popular tourist areas of our Beautiful BC. The TCT is meant for low-speed, non-motorized exploration and enjoyment. Hikers or cyclists won’t come back when they see the ruts and potholes caused by ATV and 4×4 drivers (and they are “drivers”), not to mention encountering one on the path and witnessing their careless DRIVING habits. Many have a “rough and tumble” approach to their “sport”, as if high speed isn’t enough of a kick.

Please seriously consider protecting the TCT for human-powered users of all ages and abilities, on foot or on a bicycle, in small or large groups, enjoying BC’s natural beauty.

$4,975.00 raised

GOAL: $10,000.00

Do you feel that cycling should be safer in BC?

We believe everyone should have the right to feel safe on the road, and for families to enjoy precious time together, enjoying fresh air and exercise.

We want the province to improve conditions for cyclists in B.C. by investing in expanded bike networks, improving safety education for drivers and cyclists, and update the Motor Vehicle Act. We are pressuring the government to adopt a safer passing law to help ensure that drivers pass people cycling by at least 1.5m.

We have made progress

Thanks to the generous donations from folks like you, we have helped convince the B.C. Government to develop an Active Transportation Strategy in 2019 to make cycling safer and more attractive. They state that lessons learned from Netherlands and Denmark will help inform the new B.C. Strategy. They say they are making sure that major projects such as bridges are designed to make walking and cycling use as safe and convenient as possible.

In September, the Union of BC Municipalities passed a resolution urging the Province to update the Motor Vehicle Act to improve the safety of all road users. In November, the Finance Committee recommended that the B.C. Government eliminate the PST on electric bikes.

Still, there is much work to be done. We need your help. To dramatically increase investment in bike networks and to change legislation takes persistence and resources. That’s why we ask for your donation, especially now when whatever you donate could be doubled!

To support our work toward improving conditions for cycling, the BC Cycling Coalition has a target of raising $10,000 during this holiday season. That’s why we ask for your donation, especially now when donations of $100 or more will be matched by anonymous donors up to $2000. But this offer ends in the first week of the new year.

It is fair that people of all ages and abilities should be able to cycle safely, conveniently and enjoyably in any community in BC. Does every family in BC feel safe going for a ride with the kids? This is our vision. This the way it should be.

Richard Campbell, Executive Director, BC Cycling Coalition

Bold Action Now

It is time for bold action now to enable every person, including older adults and children, in BC to cycle or walk safely for their everyday trips and recreation.

Investing $1 billion over ten years in cycling and walking will send a strong message to the world that BC is serious about addressing Climate Change.

Cycling and walking will become attractive choices for everyone, leading to significantly improved fitness and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, pollution, congestion, and traffic injuries and fatalities. The paths and protected bike lanes could also be used by people in wheelchairs and other mobile devices.

Cycling is Popular

There is broad public support for cycling improvements. In the B.C. on the Move Engagement Survey, 72% of respondents supported enhancing cycling infrastructure. Cycling is popular. Almost 70% of adults in BC ride a bicycle at least once a year, 42% at least once a month and 25% at least once a week. Many want to cycle more, with around 65% indicating they would ride more if there were separated bike lanes that protected them from traffic.

A Transportation Bargain

On a per dollar basis, we all benefit more from cycling more than other modes. While bike paths and protected bike lanes are a bargain that will benefit far more people per dollar invested than other transportation projects, it does take a significant amount of cash to build networks of them in communities around the Province. For example:

Metro Vancouver: $850 million

Capital Regional District: $275 million

City of Kelowna: $267 million (cycling and walking)

City of Chilliwack: $27 Million

City of Kamloops: $13 Million

At current rates of investment, these plans will take 30, 40 or even 50 years to complete, leaving people to brave busy roads on their bikes or more likely, not bothering to bike at all. Today's children will be grandparents by then.

The Provincial investment combined with local and federal funds will enable the completion of ambitious local and regional plans across BC. For example, the Metro Vancouver Regional Cycling Strategy predicts that upon network build out, cycling will increase to 10% of trips. The CRD Regional Pedestrian and Cycling Master Plan predicts cycling network build out cycling mode share will increase to 15%.

Funding Sources

The funding for the $1 billion investment could come from a variety of sources including an increase in the Carbon Tax, predicted budget surpluses, a reallocation of transportation budget, cutting the tax break on those earning over $150,000 or a tax on sugary drinks.

By providing people with practical and safe transportation choices, this investment would decrease the rate of the Carbon Tax required to meet Provincial goals also saving money for those who don't cycle or walk.

I pledged to vote YES for cycling and transit! It is critical for our health, economy & environment. #YesForTransit

288 votes

Imagine that within the next ten years, you, your family and friends can safely and comfortably cycle across the region to work, school, shopping and transit as well as for recreation and exercise. And, when you would rather take transit, there is a bus or a train nearby arriving within a few short minutes.

✔️ Healthy Economy - Keep our economy competitive with faster and more reliable travel and better access to more jobs, workers and markets

$6,204.00 raised

GOAL: $10,000.00

By donating to the BC Cycling Coalition, you are supporting our efforts to make cycling safe, accessible and more comfortable for everyone in B.C.

Over the next few months, we will be focusing on encouraging the Provincial Government to make cycling a key part of their new Climate Leadership plan. Specially, we recommend that they invest $1 billion over the next 10 years to complete all ages and abilities cycling networks in communities around B.C and upgrade Provincial roads and bridges.

As well, we will be encouraging them to:

support cycling education

improve the Motor Vehicle Act to include a safe passing distance law and allowing riding two abreast

Remove the PST on and add rebates for electric bikes

reduce hazards and improve maintenance on roads and paths

support cycling tourism

Your contribution is critical to help make this happen.

You can either make a one-time donation below or make on-going monthly contributions here.

You can also make donations to specific BC Cycling Coalition programs:

A retired teacher with a new occupation of cycling advocate, Fiona came to purposeful cycling, at the age of 60. She hopes to encourage baby boomer to cycle, and to represent that important demographic at all levels of government.